The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

Cosom Vitelli (Ben Gazzara) thinks he’s finally out of debt but his weaknesses quickly drag him back in, and finds himself coerced into performing a mob killing. Filled with multiple double crosses and a typically ambiguous ending, this is Cassavetes take on street gangsters with a little help from Martin Scorsese. Originally released at 135mins, Cassavetes considered it unwieldy and recut it, not just trimming scenes but rearranging the films entire structure to further please the demanding director.